Fiat-based 'mini Jeep' due next year

Chris Ellis, head of Jeep for Europe, told Autocar magazine the mini- Jeep - which is based on the Fiat 500L platform and has already reached the road-test stage - would be "the most capable off-roader in the segment.

Expect to see a world premiere in the first half of 2014, probably at the Geneva motor show in March.

"It will be a Jeep through and through."

Although it's expected to compete with soft-roaders such as the Opel Mokka, Nissan Juke and Ford Ecosport, Ellis insisted that it would be a 'real Jeep', its styling inspired by the new Wrangler and with all-wheel drive as standard.

He told Autocar: "We feel there's a position for a real Jeep offering which will be the true SUV in that growing segment."